To the surprise of many, Bruins have found a winning formula with Heinen-Zacha-Pastrnak line

After recording over 606 minutes of 5-on-5 ice time during the 2022-23 season, many Bruins fans expected Pavel Zacha and David Pastrnak to be joined at the hip on one of Boston’s top-six lines in 2023-24.

But imagine pitching a lineup reshuffle to Bruins fans in early August — fresh off of Patrice Bergeron’s retirement, Tyler Bertuzzi’s free-agency exit and a Taylor Hall trade — where *checks notes* Danton Heinen was the missing piece on that top-six unit?

Such a development would likely draw plenty of laughs, if not outright dismay for a fanbase already weary about a severe dip in play following Boston’s record-setting campaign.

If bringing back an old friend in Heinen for a role that he’s never been thrust into was going to be the move for the Bruins, one would think that the 2023-24 Bruins were gunning more for Macklin Celebrini in the upcoming 2024 NHL Draft — rather than a spot atop the NHL standings.

Of course, few are scoffing now at the sight of Heinen skating alongside Pastrnak and Zacha — especially the several stout D corps who have been shredded by that trio over the last month.

Amid all of the reshuffling that Jim Montgomery has conducted this season for a completely reworked Bruins lineup, Boston’s bench boss has seemingly struck gold by giving a solid, two-way player like Heinen an extended run with two proven playmakers.

Whether it be Heinen’s well-rounded skillset, his embrace of a more shot-first approach, or the added lift that comes with skating alongside a Hart Trophy candidate in Pastrnak, it’s hard to argue with the numbers when this trio takes to the ice.

In the 140:31 of 5-on-5 reps that the Heinen-Zacha-Pastrnak line has logged so far this season, the Bruins have outscored opponents, 14-4.

Brad Marchand’s 400th career goal might steal most of the headlines from Boston’s 4-1 win over Carolina on Thursday night.

But it was the Heinen-Zacha-Pastrnak grouping that built Boston’s lead for good in the opening frame at PNC Arena — with both Pastrnak and Heinen lighting the lamp in a strong end to Boston’s six-game road trip.

“I got it on the boards and honestly I was looking at what’s open and just was going towards the net … Tried to make a quick move to the forehand to move (Frederik) Andersen to the far side and it worked out perfectly,” Pastrnak said of his 47th goal.

Pastrnak’s ability to generate offense comes as little surprise at this stage of his career. But both Heinen (one goal, one assist vs. Carolina) and Zacha (two assists) have pulled their weight on Boston’s reworked top-six grouping.

Heinen has already served as one of the best bargain-bin adds this season — scoring 16 goals and 34 points over 69 games, all while counting just $775,000 against the cap. Over his last 21 games, Heinen has scored six goals and posted 15 total points.

A content Pavel Zacha is also starting to heat up over the final weeks of the 2023-24 campaign. Over his last 15 games, Zacha has racked up 19 points (seven goals, 12 assists) — and sits just two points away from matching his career-high in scoring (57 points, set last spring).

As uneven as the Bruins’ second-half stretch has been, Boston seems to be finding some traction with the Stanley Cup Playoffs less than three weeks away. Along with a 4-2 showing during this recent six-game road trip, Boston is now 22-7-8 this season against teams currently in the playoff field.

And it should come as little surprise that Boston’s stronger returns have been realized ever since this trio has earned steady minutes.

“We played two great teams and tonight, obviously, the first period was huge for us,” Pastrnak said of Thursday’s win. “We knew they haven’t played for a while so we were focusing on trying to jump on them in the first and it worked out.